Sonja Eichwede Slams Border Policies: Leaving Asylum Seekers in Legal Limbo
SPD Vice-Leader Eichwede Advocates for Illegal Exclusion of Asylum Seekers' Remainments - EU lawmakers urge the Commission to advance and enhance EU's international relations with Central and Eastern European nations.
Dabbling in the intricate legal quandaries, Eichwede, a former judge and current SPD deputy leader in the Bundestag, expressed familiarity with the complexities surrounding border rejections. Despite Dobrindt's claim of no explicit instruction to the Federal Police, she believes that border officers will continue to steer clear of such actions, fearing potential legal consequences. She warns that shifts in policy could prompt legal proceedings.
In a bid to curb refugee influx, Dobrindt announced tougher border controls this week, with more Federal Police officers guarding entry ports and future rejections of asylum seekers. However, exceptions will be made for children and expectant mothers.
Sonja Eichwede, SPD | Asylum Seekers | Federal Police | Germany | Alexander Dobrindt | Bundestag
Alarm bells are ringing among EU law experts and international partners regarding the legality of Dobrindt's proclamations. Key points to bear in mind are:
- Legal Conundrums:
- EU regulations like the Dublin Regulation purportedly do not sanction blanket rejections of asylum seekers at borders[1].
- The SPD, too, has raised alarms that such measures could infringe upon existing legal standards[3].
- International Apprehensions:
- Switzerland and other European nations have tagged these new regulations as unlawful, suspecting they conflict with current legal frameworks[5].
- The Swiss Justice Ministry is responsibly deliberating on appropriate countermeasures in response to these developments, alluding to international discomfort over Germany's tactics[5].
- Internal Resistance:
- A miniature insurrection is brewing within the German government over these policies, with SPD parliamentarian Sonja Eichwede demanding a rigorous legal review and arguing that mass rejections would be unlawful[3].
- Screenings and Exemptions:
- Despite the contentions, Germany is tightening border controls and planning to bar asylum seekers who don't meet particular standards, sparing vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women[3].
- Although these contentious measures are subject to debate and criticism, their execution is questionable due to the legal and political roadblocks they face[3][5].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-plans-reject-asylum-seekers-border-eu-law-row-emerges-2021-09-16/
[3] https://www.spd.de/pressemitteilungen/literaturbereich/2021/statements/2021-09-16-sonja-eichwede-ueber-die-grenzkontrollen-des-inneneinsatzes-durch-die-bundespolizei
[5] https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-germany-denounce-refugee-plan-hasket/
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive in light of the controversial border policies proposed by Alexander Dobrindt. Sonja Eichwede, a refugee advocate and SPD parliamentarian, anticipates legislative challenges as shifts in policy could prompt legal proceedings. The SPD has expressed concerns that these measures could infringe upon existing legal standards. Switzerland and other European nations have tagged these new regulations as unlawful, suspecting they conflict with current legal frameworks.
